Hedgehogs are domesticated by humans with the intention of providing everything they need to enjoy good lives. It can be heartbreaking when your beloved quill baby displays signs of not being enthused by your presence and would rather be left alone.

This article answers the question “Why Does My Hedgehog Hate Me?” by revealing the underlying reasons that cause hedgehogs not to warm up to their owners despite our best efforts. We also discuss several ways to get hedgehogs to fall in love with their owners even if there are initial reservations.

Why Does My Hedgehog Hate Me?

Hedgehogs may be slow to warm up to their owners due to fear rather than hate and staying committed to getting them familiar with your scents can eliminate those fears. Hedgehogs typically come to appreciate their owners’ presence which eventually leads to a healthy relationship.

Hedgehogs are not the most sociable domesticated animals unlike cats and dogs and seeking out their owners is almost impossible, especially during their first few weeks in a new home. It can take weeks and sometimes months of continuous love for them to finally make up their minds that their human owners mean no harm.

Be prepared for your initial attempts at bonding to be rebuffed but the only way to change their minds is to stay consistent. Giving up due to the misplaced conclusion that your hedgehog hates you can eliminate the chance of ever building a loving relationship.

Why Do Many Hedgehog Owners Think Their Pets Hate Them?

Are your hedgehogs resisting attempts to bond by hissing and making other aggressive sounds every time you go near their cages and try to pick them up? While it can be misconstrued as hate, it is nothing more than their survival instinct kicking in.

Hedgehogs are small creatures with multiple predators ranging from badgers to foxes as well as eagles and ferrets in the wild. They survive by staying anxious about larger creatures so you can imagine the level of fear when “giant-sized” humans go near their cages or make handling attempts.

They get startled every time you walk past their cage or initiate physical contact because of the lack of trust in your intentions. New environments also naturally stoke fears in hedgehogs and making the right adjustments may take a while.

How To Make Your Hedgehog Fall In Love With You

Determination and consistency are the keys to getting hedgehogs to like you despite their initial hesitations after arrival at your home. The following steps could help reverse the hissing, hiding, and other signs of discomfort your presence may stimulate in hedgehogs.

1. Learn How To Handle Hedgehogs Properly

Proper handling is one of the best ways to tame even the angriest hedgehogs since they can detect signs of nervousness in human handlers. The presence of the sharp quills means hedgehogs are usually difficult to hold for many first-timers.

However, they appreciate proper handling which entails scooping them up by making physical contact with their soft underbellies. Consistent handling typically builds the hedgehogs’ confidence that you are not a threat to their existence and this can ease up how long it takes to warm up to you.

2. Avoid Overhandling

Hedgehogs should be handled daily if possible but avoid excessive physical contact because they may find it irritating. Even 15 minutes of playtime with pet hedgehogs may do wonders for the bonding process and as long as pleasurable activities are engaged in, the probability of warming up to a new owner can be greater.

Hedgehogs may get exhausted from extended playtime which can defeat the purpose of the bonding process.

3. Get Them Used To Your Scents

Hedgehogs love owners whose scents they have grown familiar with and the benefits of getting them used to your body odor cannot be downplayed. Avoid physical contact with thick gloves as a protective measure against their sharp quills.

Instead, learn how to scoop them up properly to eliminate poking incidents. Also, letting pet hedgehogs snuggle up to your clothes can provide amazing results because they get familiar with your scents much quicker.

These creatures love to maneuver between hoodies with large pockets on either side so feel free to let them enjoy themselves.

4. Know When To Play With Your Hedgehog

Knowing when to play with pet hedgehogs is vital to building a strong, trusting bond. Not only do they hate being woken up but hedgehogs are also sensitive to bright lights. This could interfere with daytime bonding sessions.

Staying up to play with them after waking up at night is the best way to enjoy their company without being a source of annoyance. Besides, they typically look disoriented when abruptly disturbed during sleep which may interfere with their readiness to engage in playful activities.

5. Create the Right Cage Conditions

Hedgehogs have only been widely domesticated within the last 2-3 decades meaning getting stuck in a cage does not come naturally to them. They’re much happier in the wild despite the presence of predators and harsh conditions like cold weather and the scorching sun.

The least you can do is to provide the perfect environment for pet hedgehogs and getting a large cage with enough floor space can be a great start. Not only should the cage feature the right components like food and drinking bottles as well as running wheels and hideouts but the prevailing temperatures should also range between 75 F to 80 F.

The result is pet hedgehogs stay comfortable which may increase the chances of building strong bonds with their owners much quicker. (Source)

6. Quiet Environments Are Desired

Hedgehogs are easily spooked by noisy environments leading to significant stress because they begin to fear for their safety. Providing quiet habitats minimizes stress levels which makes hedgehogs more receptive to their owner’s bonding efforts.

The result is a grateful hedgehog that loves its owner’s presence which can make the initial struggles at bonding seem like several centuries ago.

7. Quit The Bright Lights

Most hedgehogs are sensitive to bright lights which can interfere with their chances of enjoying good daytime rest. Dimming the lights in their cages may positively impact their sleep quality which could increase the chances of waking up in a good mood.

8. Provide Tasty Treats

Pets like to be bribed from time to time and hedgehogs are no different. Providing tasty treats like fruits and vegetables alongside their daily diet can be a great way to enhance the bonding process. Insects including mealworms, roaches, and crickets are firm favorites for hedgehogs and may be a welcome addition from time to time.

Although hedgehogs have weak eyesight, providing occasional treats could get them to associate your presence with tasty goodies. It is only a matter of time before your presence is craved especially when they’re in the mood for some treats.

9. Leave Them Alone When Quilling

Hedgehogs typically suffer significant pain when quilling and the least you can do is to avoid physical handling unless necessary because it could increase their discomfort and worsen their already fragile moods.

Also, providing oatmeal baths once in a while may soothe the hedgehog’s pain and enhance their moods which typically improves bonding with owners.

Conclusion

While hedgehogs may seem like they hate their owners, the actual feeling is fear because they find human presence intimidating. Hedgehogs are used to getting attacked by larger animals in the wild and arriving in a new environment with giant humans could trigger significant anxiety.

The key to getting into the good graces of pet hedgehogs is stimulating familiarity with your scents since their weak eyesight makes facial recognition impossible. Once they become familiar with your smell, constant handling and kind gestures like offering treats will be appreciated.

It is a matter of when and not if they begin to like and crave your presence when you’re away.